November 2, 2018: EVPP Leadership Update (from President Kaler)

Dear Colleagues,

I am pleased to share that Provost Karen Hanson and I have mutually identified a new arrangement that will allow her to remain as executive vice president and provost (EVPP), and step down when the new president hires a new chief academic officer.

This arrangement will allow Provost Hanson to step away from the EVPP position January to March 2019 for a leave that will accommodate personal and family considerations referenced in her August message. She will return full time to the EVPP position April 1, 2019.

I will appoint Vice Provost Robert McMaster to serve as acting EVPP during the three months of Provost Hanson’s leave. He will assume the full role and authority of the position during this time, with Provost Hanson available for consultation. Vice Provost McMaster has served as vice provost and dean of undergraduate education for 11 years. Previously, he served as chair of the Department of Geography and as associate dean for budget and planning in the College of Liberal Arts, Twin Cities campus. He is known for his dedication to academic excellence. Provost Hanson and I agree that Vice Provost McMaster will provide steady leadership during her leave.

This new plan of Provost Hanson continuing in her academic leadership position will provide stability and continuity during the presidential transition. Provost Hanson will resolve or advance several initiatives of special importance, working in collaboration with administrative colleagues and with faculty, staff, and student leaders. These initiatives include child care planning for the Twin Cities campus; restructuring of the Academic Health Center; enhanced systemwide enrollment coordination and a strategic framework for online education; academic planning and budgeting issues; faculty promotion and tenure; and strategic and interdisciplinary research and teaching collaborations.

I thank all who nominated University academic leaders to serve in an interim EVPP position, in response to my September 10 message to faculty and staff. I thank Executive Vice President and Provost Hanson for her continued commitment to the University of Minnesota, and am grateful to Vice Provost McMaster for his willingness to serve as acting EVPP beginning in January.